We arrived Friday for a night just as a family. Does sometimes feel like we move in a loosely connected herd these days so it was quite enjoyable just to have one night with no one to talk to but Max 😀
Saturday we went out for the morning rather than sit around and wait for everyone. Not particularly noteworthy other than that we went into a typical “old persons” cafe and two separate sets of people came up to me to tell me how nice it was to see well behaved, happy children having a nice family time out together. Made me glow really. Had quite a long conversation with the couple next to us about HE too.
Anyway, then it was back to the camp where people were beginning to arrive. This years set up was much better for campers, or at least it was till the rain arrived but as many of us as possible were in a circle. Still not perfect but we’ve done quite a bit of considering and nosey-ing about during the week and think we have an even better plan for next year.
Sunday was the start of the week proper – bit cold and a bit sad for us as Max was going home for the week whereas he has always stayed previously. Must admit i didn’t really enjoy it so much without him and we did feel a bit lonely for him at times. It did mean we couldn’t really do swimming as i can’t manage 4 on my own safely AND i had to do rather a lot of Sparky which i didn’t feel i could really say no to as they were still having wepy moments for Daddy for most of the week. However, the day was pretty much saved by having people like Sam and a variety of long-term Puddlers kids about. Did make the horrific discovery that Maddy had nits thoguh which is still utterly baffling me, given she had her hair cut and checked on friday morning. Grumble grumble… Sorry about that everyone.
Monday was boiling and the girls enjoyed a variety of mini-workshops, including basket weaving (well done Jax 🙂 ) and cloth weaving (well done Layla)
Josie finally got to meet her “Triplet Sisters”
Ironically, this year we didn’t have a large tent for the first time, but did have Alison’s Khyam and this was the year that communal space really got used. Something else to think on more for next year i suppose. Big thanks to Alison for bringing her one, did the trick nicely.
Tuesday i broke the habits of a lifetime and organised something, the ubiquitous Wildlife Park trip. Huge numbers of us 35 adults, 35 over 3’s and about another 15 under 3’s – scary. I say organised, this is a somewhat feeble description my involvement – Josie needed feeding at the critical moment so Nic was promoted to Prefect and did sterling work in the field of demanding money with menace 😀 The Park really impressed me this year; they seem to care a lot about the environments the animals live in and lots of upgrading had been done – mind you, nearly the only photo i got was this one…
Its a tree monster.
And then came the rain. Which unfortunately meant that i came undone at the seams when it became obvious i was going to be stuck in a field in a thunderstorm. I’d have liked to have managed to keep this particular pathetic fear to myself but i think it was fairly obvious i don’t like storms 🙁 Prompted possibly the most compassionate remark i’ve ever heard in the wild from Chris P though “Its no fun taking the piss out of her, she’s clearly terrified” which made me feel rather a lot better for some reason 😀
When the storm eventually broke the next morning, the kids all slept through it and i had to quake on my own. Managed to keep my head and stay in the tent though rather than wake them up and run them across the field to Kris’s caravan; considering HOW much i hate thunder, this was quite an achievement but i couldn’t really justify making them run across an open space in a downpour with lightening right overhead! 🙂 I think i actually had one of the worst tent puddles this time but it stayed under the groundsheet and the tent did me proud.
Fran took some pictures of MuddlePuddle Ducks for me.
Can’t remember Thursday at all…. oh yes, more rain, lots of time in my tent with LOTS of children – but that was fine, all such NICE children, it was a pleasure to be host to them. Max reappeared too and was warmed by them all throwing themselves at him, even Josie who was just one big grin when she saw him.
Friday was warm again and we all spent the afternoon doing crafts; baskets with beads, scoubis, necklaces, sewing etc etc Seemed delightful from where i was sitting anyway.
We ended the week by repeating our evening trip into Lowestoft. We loved this last year and this year it was even better. Nice chip shop with a pet seagull and then a trip down to the fountains. We REALLY needed PapaPricey for this bit.
Its good to be home but i think it was a success. I think, if it continues to grow as it has, that next year will require a deal more organisation – but there is time for that later.
